Species Black Alpine Sedge
Dark-green leaves and brown seedhead.

Black Alpine Sedge

Carex nigricans

Black Alpine Sedge is a unique and beautiful perennial grass-like plant native to the alpine ecosystems of Europe. Standing 8-12 inches tall, its shiny, black stems reach upwards in arching fashion with grass-green leaves at the stem bases. It produces a colorful display of brownish-purple and yellow flower-like clusters from June to August. Carex nigricans can grow in a variety of soil conditions and does particularly well in sand and gravel soils. It is easy to establish and is very tolerant of dry conditions. It needs semi-shade to maintain its dark foliage. Black Alpine Sedge is an eye-catching addition to rock gardens and alpine gardens.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Sun

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,black

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Black Alpine Sedge is a drought-tolerant plant species and requires minimal watering. During the spring and summer months, provide water to the plants every 10-14 days or when the soil feels dry to the touch. During the fall and winter months, watering can be reduced to every 1-2 weeks. Aim to water the plants deeply and slowly in order to avoid saturating the soil which can increase the risk of root rot. Make sure to avoid over-watering the plants as this can stunt their growth.

sunlight

Black Alpine Sedge plants prefer full or partial sun and will do best when grown in a location that gets at least 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. They thrive in cooler climates and may perform poorly if grown in warmer regions or in areas exposed to prolonged middle-of-the-day heat. These plants require well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, so avoid soggy soils.

pruning

Black Alpine Sedge should be pruned in late summer or early autumn, typically starting in the late July or early August. Pruning should aim to remove dead or diseased foliage, as well as any stray branches that are growing outside of the desired shape of the plant. Additionally, pruning should thin out lightly thicker patches to encourage air movement and new growth. Generally, pruning should be light, as this plant does not require a lot of trimming. If desired, a small amount of pruning may also be done in the early spring to further shape the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Black Alpine Sedge typically starts flowering in June.